13 Best Restaurants in North Iceland, Iceland

Glaumbær's cozy tea room is an unforgettable stop, particularly after a meander around the historical grounds. Either get their soup, cakes, and coffee buffet or just order something á la carte. Their traditional pancakes are particularly drool-worthy, as is the homemade rhubarb jam.

An attention-attracting Viking ship decked out with colorful shields acts like a visual ringmaster for this fabulous Hauganes restaurant, drumming up business for their fishy fare. Tasty seafood dishes and baccalá (salted codfish)–themed meals star on the menu alongside the seaside views. If you're lucky, you might just see a whale in the distance. 

The fresh flavors of Icelandic seafood and lamb feature in several superb dishes served at Báran, a welcoming bar and restaurant where the prices are affordable and the quality is high. Its harborside location adds atmospheric charm to the welcoming candlelit interior, where old historical annals, some dating back to the 19th century, have been incorporated into the decor. Standouts on the menu include several tasty modern classics with pizza and pasta dishes, but the Báran burger, dubbed as the best in Iceland, is always a winning choice.

Located inside the Fosshotel Húsavík, this beautifully designed restaurant is a convenient place for guests to dine, although you don't need to be a guest to eat here. While their main menu offers traditional first rate Icelandic fare, they also have pizzas and great burgers. 

For a true chocolate high, visit Frida—aka the chocolate temptress of the north—who sells exceptional handmade chocolates in her delightful coffee shop. The decor is stylish, from the cartoon-covered walls of the bathroom to all the featured works of art, but the chocolates are the star attractions here, with some surprising flavors like blue cheese and beer.

There is a glorious jumble of vintage ski wear, old leather saddles, and other knickknacks to engage your curiosity in this small-town café, which is just as charming as the children’s story it’s named after: The Brothers From Bakki. The famous local storybook (about three brothers who build a house with no windows and tried to carry sunshine into the house using their hats) makes for a great read while you wait for your order. Look out for the marvelous wooden sculpture of former President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson by local artist Dagur Óskarsson.

Located within the 1238 Battle of Iceland museum, this restaurant not only serves some delightful fare but also acts as Skagafjörður's premier concert venue, bringing both famous and small-time artists to play in the remote countryside. They also have a small store with gifts and souvenirs. 

The quiet enclave of Húsavík found worldwide fame in 2020 with the release of the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, which told the dramatic tale of two Húsavík musicians who dream of winning the famous contest. Named after a song from the film, this themed café pays homage to the hit in a delightfully cheesy manner.

Glorious in its haphazardness, this welcoming café is also a bar and gallery exhibiting and selling various paintings, handicrafts, knitwear, and a selection of homemade jams and preserves. It’s a happy blend of old, upcycled, and new, featuring lots of driftwood and an entire wall dedicated to a quirky collection of teapots, pans, and kitchenware.

Reserve a table at this restaurant run by award-winning Moroccan chef Jaouad Hbib, who arrived at this remote northern town in 2016. The menu changes every few weeks and often features local ingredients.

Seashells, driftwood, and nautical knickknacks are cleverly incorporated in this well-designed space, where large windows overlook the bay. Here you can dine on some hearty seafood dishes while enjoying a spot of whale-watching; humpbacks and killer whales are often seen breaching in the bay. 

Fine dining enhanced by glorious views over the marina and fjord create a memorable experience at Sunna. Standouts on the menu include the lamb fillet and pan-fried cod, but save some room for the white chocolate mousse, a sweet, tangy dessert with lime pear that fizzes delightfully on your tongue. The prices are surprisingly affordable, given the exceptional quality: a three-course meal is ISK 7,990.

Those who appreciate dairy will love this place, which serves super-fresh whole milk and cream to go with your coffee and delicious (although ridiculously overpriced) home-baked cakes. The café has big windows with such satisfying views of the lush surroundings that you might be tempted to stay for the free refills (filter coffee only). There’s also a menu of farm–to–table dishes, a souvenir shop, and a viewing window into the cowshed.